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Overall it looks quite sharp. Very striking colours, and the idea of the background is really cool.

I find the scale bar difficult to read (black text on very dark background). The lettering in the first version also suffers from this a bit. I really like the compass rose -- nice colours and nice fill effect.

Lastly, I find there's something confusing for me about having such sparse tree-cover. Like, my brain is trying to interpret the individual trees as if they're individual trees, rather than be "representative of trees".

"In school, all the other kids laughed at me because I was just a brain in a jar."

Thanks to all for the comments and advice! This is a big experiment for me I think I might get some useful techniques out of this . Wahoo!! Keep tuned and keep the advice coming.

Diamond And Gidde :
Thanks !! I will be playing with some different mixes on different elements so please keep advising !

bcholmes :

I find the scale bar difficult to read (black text on very dark background). The lettering in the first version also suffers from this a bit. I really like the compass rose -- nice colours and nice fill effect.

Lastly, I find there's something confusing for me about having such sparse tree-cover. Like, my brain is trying to interpret the individual trees as if they're individual trees, rather than be "representative of trees".

Thanks for the comments. Yes the scale bar is too dark. The lighting originally was to be from the rising sun (the right hand side) But in the B&W version the mountains are shaded opposite. Damn !! Till I get up the ambition to redo the mountain the light is from the setting so for now it is in the dark just like me !!
The text overlay in the first one was just learning how to apply a gradient in different ways to text. That is why it isn't in the second one I really wasn't too pleased with it. I'll have to got back to it.

In the B&W version I tried more trees But it Looked too cluttered . I'll try a denser covering in the next Update. Keep tuned and keep that advice coming !

Last edited by lostatsea; 03-30-2012 at 03:42 PM.

"Aye The skies be clear , the seas be calm and the winds be with us .....

Back at it again

April was a very busy month at the ole homestead !!!! But I am back at it now ! Have redone much on this map. Had to redo the mountains to get the "SUN" on the right side. Changed single huts to multiples for the villages. Redid the trees to a smaller size. Enhanced the surf with a custom texture. And obviously replace the background texture. Still not certain about the text. Might be competing with the rest of the map for attention ?? Suggestion Very much appreciated !!

"Aye The skies be clear , the seas be calm and the winds be with us .....